Finding Our Way Home

Open

Have a few group members read Exodus 25-27:19 aloud.

What’s the most impressive thing you’ve ever built or crafted?

Reflect

Why do you think God concerns Himself so intimately with the smallest details and measurements of the tabernacle? Why would God record them for us to read, versus a more general summary of the instructions?

Have one person read Genesis 3:8 and Genesis 3:22-24 and then look again at 25:17-22. What significant loss does the tabernacle restore?

In light of your answer, how do you think the Israelites felt about the massive to-do list God had given them?

The Israelites have demonstrated their keen awareness of the practical needs they were facing in the wilderness—the need for food, water and safety. What would you say to them about the necessity of this extravagant, laborious building project?

Apply

1 Corinthians 3:16 says we are corporately the temple of the Holy Spirit and that the Spirit dwells in our midst. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says our individual bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. What is your response to this reality? How should it change the way you live? How is this reality better than what the Hebrews had in the tabernacle?

Have one person read Ephesians 2:19-22. Have another person read Revelation 21:1-4. Although we have God with us now, we await a full dwelling with God in the New Creation one day. How does this future dwelling parallel the Garden of Eden? How should the hope of dwelling with God in eternity make a difference to us now?

Close

What attribute of God did you see in this week’s passage that particularly struck you? How should it change the way you pray, think, speak or act this week?

Ideas for Family Discipleship

Time

Set aside a time this week for your family to read Exodus 25:10-22 together. Imagine what the ark of the covenant would look like or draw a picture of it together.

// Why do you think the top of the ark of the covenant is called the “mercy seat”?

// What is “mercy”?

// How does your family show mercy to one another?

// The ark of the covenant is also where God meets with Moses. Where does your family gather during the week to meet with God? How can that be more a time of mercy seeking and mercy sharing?

Moments

In times of discipline this week, share the gospel with your family and talk about how God is just—He is right to punish sin—and He is merciful—God does not give His children the punishment they deserve.